GetYourGuide, a German online marketplace for travel guides, activities and excursions, is currently advertising entrance tickets to Christiania in central Copenhagen for 41 Danish kroner per person (reduced from 68 kroner), and entrance to Dyrehaven, north of the city, for 107 kroner (reduced from 135 kroner). Both are provided by Iziguide, which the Danish broadcaster DR tracked to an address in Georgia.
"An entry ticket is required to visit Jægersborg Dyrehave," the website claims. "This ticket gives you full access to Denmark’s famous Royal Deer Park, a vast UNESCO-listed landscape just north of Copenhagen."
In the description, the website informs visitors that the gates to the park are open and their tickets will not be scanned on entry.
"But rangers can check them at any time. No valid ticket = possible fine or removal," it warns, advising visitors to download their ticket before entry as mobile coverage can be patchy.
Jacob Skriver, a forester at the Danish Nature Agency who is responsible for the deer park, told DR that the city's nature areas were "for everyone" and "should not cost money".
"It's deeply disturbing that someone is trying to cover this up," he told the broadcaster. The agency has tried to contact GetYourGuide and has also reported the advert to the Danish police.
The site makes the same claim for Christiania – also completely free.
"This ticket is your entry, and most of what you pay goes straight to Christiania to help it financially," they said. "Your ticket will not be checked at the gate – nobody stands there scanning anyone. But villagers may ask to see your ticket, so keep it handy. Keep it on your phone next to your booking confirmation and you can show it, nod and keep walking."
A spokesperson for Christiania said there is no record of it receiving any money from Iziguide.
On Get Your Guide, no one has left a review for the Dyrehave tickets, but the same does not go for Freetown Christiania, whose tickets have seven reviews from tourists who appear to have coughed up their 41 kroner.
"The troll, a few paintings, the ski chair," grumbled one anonymous reviewer from the US, giving the attraction three out of five.
"I’m sorry you felt that way," someone from Iziguide replied. "There is actually a lot more to see in Christiania... there are colourful murals and street art, unique houses and architecture, gardens and green spaces, historic buildings, sculptures, creative workshops, cafés, music venues, and many interesting areas connected to Christiania’s history and culture."
This is in fact true, but they omitted to mention that all of these attractions are entirely free, meaning the visitor paid 41 kroner for no reason.
Looking at Iziguide's entry, the scam is not limited to Denmark.
Visitors to Amsterdam's NDSM Wharf are also warned to "keep their tickets handy at all times" as they make their self-guided tour of the entirely free city district.
They also sell tickets to the "self-declared Republic of Užupis" in Vilnius, an artist freetown much like Christiania, only in this case, they at least spill the beans.
"One honest thing, because Užupis would want it that way: the republic has no fence and no gate, and crossing its border is free for everyone, always."
They then claim that the money raised from the charge is passed on to the artists.
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